Bloom!

WOW! Spanx kept me humble!

2011-05-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

Molly Shannon showed her trick to slick: Spanx!

OK, I am 42 in a couple of months. I treasure my Glamazon style, and love the feeling of sucking in the jiggly bits when I get all dressed up. Spanx has been my friend for some time now. We have an agreement. I wear breathable clothing, and Spanx puts the slap in that ass. At least, that's been the agreement.

This was my 2nd year attending the WOW Conference, founded by creator, Christine Awram. The lineup of speakers was amazing, and I enjoyed a playful session getting hypnotized with most of our table of women by Troy Mitchell of Hypnotica and Life By Design. At one point, frustrated and embarrassed I couldn't remember the number 5. With my four children in the audience at the event, I was sure I was going to lose homework points with them!

The first WOW moment for me was sitting at WOW with my favourite bunch of women:

Brita McLaughlin of Brita McLaughlin Coaching, AKA Buddha, my personal coach for 15 months and counting, and my biggest fan, and one of my deepest heart-based friendships. I was at WOW because Brita has spurred me on to reach in and find my source and achieve a success with value and meaning. Brita = Buddha in my world.
Isabelle Mercier Turcotte of LeapZone Strategies, a special woman of spirit and humour. She makes up her own words. I like that.
Kristi Davis of Magnetic Skins, a friend of Brita's, and a mother of a young one like me, we had great laughs over how sleep deprivation makes life easier when you are in a cloud, and how sex is optional.
Taaja Kayler of Own the Room, who lives up to her presence with a powerful mane of gorgeous blond hair and statuesque height. Her smile and positive energy during the event was infectious.
Heather Scott, a new acquaintance from my participation in Women & Words, a 20-something up-and-comer with a lot on the go, a defined path, and a garden full of vivacity.
Dawn Carson, Operations Guru for Ideas In Bloom and founder of Bliss Health Oasis, the other side of my brain, and a brilliant vocalist with a spiritual twist!
Maureen Coroliuc of Angelic Teapot, one of my longtime clients turned friend, her spirit is calming, supportive and visionary.
Jessica Hollander of Rasoee, a hip and sassy professional with brains and beauty, and one of my bestest gal pals!

Gosh, the day went WAY too fast, and I cannot even BEGIN to tell you as much as I would like to squeeze into this little blog today... I have come off a 4 conference tour since April, and now that the dust is settling...

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

This Amazon Aboriginal Goddess from the little town of Ketchikan, Alaska, took home the

WOW Award for 2011 Spirit Success & Soul

Soul Sistah!

Woo hoo! My journey as a mother, business woman, author, aboriginal, healer who is healing, wife and friend... all led to this defining moment as I stood in front of a room full of hundreds of women (and a few men) to accept an award that had a lot of hearts and minds involved. I didn't do it on my own, and I worked damn hard on myself and for others this year from a place of utter mother goddess love. I felt I was representing a community of women, and proudly share my light with you!

Even greater was the pleasure that Elke Babicki of United Girls of the World was chosen 2011 Leader of the year. Elke and I shared time coordinating the recent Women & Words Conference as members of the Leadership Group, and further deepened our heart-based connection at the recent weekend getaway, everyWOMAN Whistler!

Sandwiched in between two amazing Women of Worth, Elke Babicki - 2011 WOW Leader of the Year & Brita McLaughlin - 2010 Leader of the Year. They are each a beacon of light in my life, and it is a blessing to share my heart with them.

K, here is the rundown, as quick as I can get it out of my head and through my fingertips:

Linda Edgecombe, Award-Winning Humourist, returned to share her experience with United Girls of the World and her "hot, younger-looking hubby"... both of which put a big smile on her face, and laughter in our hearts.

Christine Awram, Founder of WOW, got us to do some fun hand movements with our hands... and my fave quote from her presentation was: "have you tapped your thymus today?" Her advocacy on women's health was passionate and compelling!

Jan Jantzen founder of the Breast Health Revolution, and writer of the wildly successful book, "The Truth About Breast Health, was my fave presenter. She opened my eyes about breast cancer, and gave three great tips about preventing breast cancer, one of which is my fave: "Don't wear a bra!"
I'm sitting here, typing this, completely braless and my lymph glands on my two sisters are thanking Jan. Yahoo, baby!

The Manzier - At least I don't have to worry about Moobs.

Teresia Laroque shared some anecdotes from her Baby Kenny in an on-stage conversation with the participants. Teresia’s motto is “If you can dream your dream alone, your dream is not big enough,” and pointed to the power of cooperation and connecting with other women.

Cheryl Cran from 2020 Leadership got us to draw animals... my animal was a horsey with a long, flouncy tail. Apparently, I am stable (chuckle, snort) with complete contentment with my life (bang on, baby!)

If you missed the WOW event this year, consider joining the Ideas In Bloom table next year AND you have other opportunities through the WOW evening series on Granville Island. Each evening is themed with powerful speakers like our own Isabelle Mercier Turcotte from LeapZone!

K, I am going to hit the shower and sing to the shower walls while I reflect on this whirlwind dreamboard-turned-pinch-me-am-I-really-here-dream-come-true-triumphant-holy-s***-we-did-it-I-am-actually-my-own-dream-girl-pay-it-forward-moment.

Now, here is my moment: send me a cause for me to put heart and soul into by commenting below, and give me time to do it before December 31. Criteria? Passion, uplifting women, opening minds and hearts, changing the world, helping girls feel ENOUGH about themselves.

Bring it on. The community of She is waiting!
Do you want me to speak? Do you need me to broadcast your cause and help get more awareness? What matters to you? I want to hear from heartfelt women about their heartfelt causes.

So after all of this, what does the title of this post have to do with what I just wrote?

My dear friends, I had my Spanx holding up their end of the bargain throughout WOW. I got home, whipped off the confines of sassy savvy girl clothes and got into some cotton comfies. By Saturday night, my midriff felt a little irritated. By Sunday, I had a rash. By Monday, I realized I was having a wicked reaction to the synthetic elastic in the Spanx. Loving hubby went to the medicine cabinet and got a lovely floral liquid for me to drink down in a tablespoon, and the rash went away. Love that Euro medicinal lovin'! So, at the pinnacle of my year, Spanx kept me humble... and kept me laughing!

Peace & Flowers, and a bunch of good stuff at ya!

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel, Mended Wings. Tonia shares her knowledge & expertise on print, web and brand design freely!

Fun, Fat & Fashion!

2011-04-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

Had a FAB time at the 2nd session of the Funtastic Feminar Series last night!

Hey, don't judge me.

I'm munching right now. It's 12:33 am. As I ticked away at my Mac, I got the hungries, and went up to the kitchen like a teenage boy with the Holy Mary J. munchies. I scooped a banana, two Sweet & Salty bars (they are healthy, right), and an open faced baguette with unsalted butter, ham and gruyere.

As I chewed each bite down, savouring the flavours and textures of my blessed midnight snack, the voice of reason (which sounded strangely like one of the Femtor Presenters, Carolyn...). Carolyn's voice loomed in my head and the food stuck like a lump in my throat. Damn it. My midnight snack now looked like a lump of fat. She has forever changed the way I look at food.

Food used to be my bud, the one who would comfort me when hubby was busy, the willing participant in my mindless Internet surfing, the filler in between meals, the late-night-out-of-sight yummy nibbles. I rationalized that the snacks were healthy and crunchy... well, at times, at least crunchy. I tried to eat apples and carrots. Sometimes, a few chip crumbs would find their way into my bed sheets, but there is no conclusive evidence of my involvement in that crunchy activity.

Now, I hear the word "fat" - not in the condescending, societal judgment sense of the word we see in the media - but in the healthy vs. unhealthy body & how our body produces and burns fat, and builds or **eek** cannibalizes it's own muscle.

OMG - Fat Cells Can Eat Muscle!

OK, after 30, it's supposed to be downhill for muscle production for women - we have to work twice as hard as when we were 29. So, I want to hold onto whatever muscle is still hanging out on my bones. At this rate, I thought, Fat cells are winning. No, no, no! So, meet the great lineup of Fems from the second night of this 4-night series!

The Femtor Lineup

Deadly fierce in her mission to help
people make healthy choices
for lifestyle, exercise & eating,
Fab Fem Carolyn Collins rocked the house.

Carolyn Collins, Owner of Trainers, is a National Strength & Conditioning Coach NSCA/PT, Certified Sports Nutritionist & Rehabilitation Specialist, and a Fitness & Lifestyle Consultant. What that means, ladies, in English: She rocks your abs, body, eating habits & kicks your ass into fitness with a no-nonsense proven program.

Stop Dieting!

Carolyn shared how to turn the fat cells off. Those little buggers are intelligent little creatures, and hold on for dear life if you keep feeding them with bad eating habits (not just in the food you eat, but in HOW and WHEN you eat). Whoodathunkit? And, forget about Diets. If they worked, we'd all be doing one diet, not hundreds, right? Diets CREATE fat cells!

Feed Your Body NOT Your Fat Cells!

Ewwww! Weight loss diets = BAD
Frequent, light eating = GOOD

Carolyn walked us through how to eat right & when, how to shrink & multiply meals, how to implement weight training & cardio, and how to go into battle to COMBAT the FAT. I LOVED how she compared that we need to treat our eating like a bodily function, such as taking a trip to the loo. I am serious! Carolyn has a point... I mean, we wouldn't be having a conversation (I admit, I have had many a chat while visiting my friend, John), watching TV, distracted... with our body function of pooing and peeing, we are entirely engaged in the activity. OK, weird example, but hey, how many of us are sitting with our food, and it is JUST our food we are focused on? Hello!

Carolyn says the first key to burning fat cells is to PAY attention to the relationship your body is having with food, girls, so you can LISTEN TO YOUR HUNGER SIGNALS! If you are gabbing away, schlurping a glass of red wine (which deadens the hunger signal), or eating standing up, you are not listening to how your body is receiving the food, and we ALL overeat when that happens.

Eat only between 6 am and 6 pm

I have been breaking that rule for 41 years. Carolyn gave me tips on all of the substitutes I can do to walk away from the midnight craving. OK, so I flubbed. At least I am conscious now. I am learning. I get it. I can do it. No more midnight snacking.

Are you getting sleeeepy?

Janet Ellis easily slid on the shoes
as one half of the Hypnosisters pair
and guided us gals through a
reeeeelaxing visualization.

Janet Ellis, Founder of Funtastic Feminars & Co-owner of Hypnosisters, took us through a guided vision using hypnotherapy. Janet addressed the snake-oil bar-room variety of hypnotists right away, and helped us see the practical application of using focus hypnotherapy in talking to our subconscious and creating thoughts that feed positive action. In other words, tell yourself "facts" that you want to live and breathe, and your subconscious automatically kicks in to make it happen. Janet also shared Positive Action Suggestions and what they should look and sound like.

I got to lounge on a beach. Ahhh.

Janet effortlessly took us through a visualization experience that left me feeling like a million bucks! Our elevator took us from the 5th floor, down to the 1st, and then opened up to the vista of a beautiful tropical beach (at least in my visualization). Meandering on the beach, I felt more and more relaxed and able to let go. As we rose to the surface again, I felt calm, clear & definitely focused. Kaia, my little divalicious daughter awoke from the session saying, "That was cool, I could feel the beach breeze on my cheek."

The energy in the room was totally zen.

Joanne took in the feminar
while wearing
Canadian Designer
Tonia Debellis

Joanne Franks, Fashionista, shared her trunk show of gorgeous pieces from tips on the Broadway Jacket to giving us a fun quiz on whether we are a City Sophisticate, The Fashionista, Boho Chic or down with Studio Style. I learned that I am a fem with a foundation of City Sophisticate, with a smattering of Fashionista and a Touch of Boho Chic. Fun!

Don't dig the retail experience?

Delicious prints caught my eye!

Neither did Joanne Franks. Joanne shared a wide selection of tops, skirts, slacks, casuals & jackets from Medium up to 2X - which, coincidentally - miraculously fit compactly in her hatchback! She is one of 5 suppliers in North America that carry the talented Canadian Designer, Tonia Debellis. Yum!

OK, listen carefully now, here is the kicker: Joanne has a trunk show atelier in her home studio for one-on-one clients! She has a huge warehouse of pieces to handpick for you. We are not talking high prices, either girls! The pieces she sells are affordable foundational pieces to carry throughout your wardrobe, from cajjjj to diva dressy... you pick! How cool is that for those of you who hate shopping retail and changing in cluttered or confining dressing rooms... relax with Joanne and pick up some new pieces for your wardrobe. Loving it!

Fun Fems

Young, talented and gorgeous,
Ashley gets you camera ready beautilicious
with great make-up tips and techniques!

It's In the Eyes

Ashley Lauren, Licensed Hairstylist & Make-up Artist, jumped in and joined the event, offering beautiful eyes for participants with her oodles of expert advice and steady hand. Tons of gorgeous eyes were roaming the room last night!

Bat your lashes, ladies!

Fun Fems made their way over to the make-up table with Ashley and got done up throughout the feminar presentations. It was a fun way to break up the evening.

Speaking of breaks, the Feministress herself, Janet Ellis, handed out slips of paper with "Abbott" to one person, and "Costello" to another, and other fun pairs like, "Salt" and "Pepper" or "Peanut Butter" and "Jelly." Each participant had to find the match in their pair, and get to know the other fun fem. I got to know "Abbott" - a lovely Winnipeg transplant and two-time cancer survivor with a warm, keep it simple attitude. She found Funtastic Feminars in a local newspaper, and signed up to join in the fun. FABULOUS!

The room was full of smiling, fabulous, fun fems, ready for the next fun adventure!

Do you like Bling?

A smorgasbord of amazing pieces begged
to be tried on... Magpie has something
for EVERY look!

Delicious handbags in just the right
colour palette for Spring & Summer

Cathryn Tucker of Magpie Fashion Accessories & Gifts, an ex-pat of the UK and new in our neighbourhood, gave us gals a bevvy of trinkets and baubles to oggle over... with a table chock full of gorgeous, hand picked jewelry collections from suppliers all over Canada. The girl has an eye for gorgeous. I couldn't stop trying on pieces, and added two to my jewelry collection.

Looking good doesn't have to cost loads

Magpie does home parties, and whoa, these pieces are affordable! With bracelets at $15, and necklaces ranging from $18-$22, you can look amazing on a dime - and still have enough for that latte with the girls.

Want to feel warm & fuzzy?

Cuddles and Kaia made
fast friends

Laureen Barker is warm &
fuzzy sweet, just like
her alpaca.

I would be amiss if I left out the new Alpaca addition to our family - Cuddles the amazingly soft and special bear from Peru - courtesy of Laureen Barker and Catherine Simpson, partners in Kensington Prairie Fibre Wear.

My daughter and I even played with their fun hats, and cuddled with their furry patch pillows - soooo touchable!

Beautiful & natural
The pieces from Kensington Prairie were featured in Stimuli Mag, and have GORGEOUS quality alpaca pieces that are comfortable, easy for people who cannot wear wool, much warmer as winter wear, and sustainable and natural for our environment. Win, win! All my daughter cares about is that little Cuddles is the best hugger she's met in ages. She's over the moon for her new buddy.

One of the participants, Alaina, brought along the lovely Char to the evening. Char was wearing red, of course. Alaina looked fabulous in her flawless makeup, using tips from last Tuesday's feminar. Awesomeness!

Share your light with the world!

Thank you, Vanya, for the scrumptious nibbles (after 6 pm)! Amazing Draw prizes were handed out to the group, and I gave each participant a small citrus candle, sharing the native tradition of lighting of the fire at the close of ceremonies. A fire is lit, and passed from the elders outward to the men, women, and young ones, and they pass forward the wisdom of the ancestors and share their light with the world. Without getting too mushy on you... remember to share your amazing light with the world!

So, ladies, it's now time to let my metabolism rest. My Positive Action suggestion for tonight: "I will go to bed now and wake up skinny-mini at 7 am, and my body and mind will be full of healthy thoughts." I know, I know, it has to be realistic and attainable.... I think I'll go to bed at 5:30 tomorrow so I can avoid the fridge.

Peace & Flowers!

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. Tonia is on the Leadership Group for Women & Words Writing & Publishing Conference, the first ever of its kind in BC, and is the official sponsor of the Funtastic Feminar Series. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel. Tonia shares her knowledge & expertise on print, web and brand design freely!

Women & Words

2011-04-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

We All Have A Story In Us, Sister

Women & Words Conference

Grab on to your unique story, take the leap of faith that your story is ready to be unleashed on the world. Now, more than ever, writing is a lucrative adventure for most - IF YOU LEVERAGE IT IN THE CURRENT MARKET. There are SO MANY WAYS to write and publish that a newbie indie can get buried in doubt and too much information.

Forget that noise!

I am very, very excited to be a part of the launch of the history making Women & Words Conference, the first ever of its kind in BC. Rest assured, Women & Words is positioned to rival the renowned Surrey Writer's Conference! We are coming out of the gate with some fabulous authors in the line up, and all KINDS of tips and support for you.

Stop Waiting for 'Someday' To Come!

The time is now. The Women & Words conference is uniquely formatted to allow you to maximize on writing, marketing, e-tools, publishing, traditional and non-traditional promotion for today's writer's market with breakout groups, and we JUST GOT WORD that CTV will be joining us at our conference! AND, at 99 for one day or just $149 for both days, 'someday' is TODAY to take the step to invest in your writing and publishing dreams.

Exciting News!
CTV will be in our midst to interview presenters and participants. Be a part of making history at the conference!

The lineup for Friday and Saturday April 29 & 30 is so exciting I am bursting to let the cat out of the bag... suffice it to say, you will be thrilled to be in such GREAT company.

Friday evening will find you in the midst of published authors at the WINE, WOMEN & WORDS RECEPTION. Meet the authors, browse the book store, get your book signed, and experience with a special guest appearance by the renowned NW Coast dance group: Gitksan Dancers, featuring moi and my two lovely daughters, keeping our heritage alive in the spirit of the conference. I will also be sharing an excerpt from my novel, "Mended Wings."


I will be at Women & Words, sharing, speaking and dancing Heck, I might even sing if the feeling moves me! See you there!

If you want to meet me at the conference, I will also be presenting in a workshop on Saturday April 30 at 1:45:

CULTIVATE A BLOOMIN’ GREAT BRAND

...AND don't miss out on your chance to win $750 in graphic design services from Ideas In Bloom.

Get the Word Out!

Please share this blog with everyone you know, and to register through info@pamelachatry.com to get the AWESOME DISCOUNT through Tonia Lenk of Ideas In Bloom.

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel, "Mended Wings." She joyously shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

The queen has arrived.

2011-04-06T23:46:00.000-07:00

Super sassy notebooks awaited each Fun Fem.

Need I say more?

I had a FABULOUS time with the Funtastic Feminar Fems on Tuesday, April 5. Janet Ellis gathered 25 women, three presenters, some fun times and good laughs for an evening out. She opened the event with describing the 9 month process from idea to reality, and shared it in a witty analogy of giving birth.

The image on the left was the cover on my notebook waiting in my seat at the feminar. Very appropriate, I must say. I am a giant diva. No, I am serious. I am giant. I measure in at 5 feet 10 inches, and 175 lbs of pure woman.

C'mon, these girls
are edible!

Add some spicy 4 inch red heels and hockey players have got nothing on me. I call myself "Abby A." when I am in my hot red pumps, short for "Aboriginal Amazon" and golly girls, do I ever strut when I have them on.

Last night was no exception, girls.

Moi getting saucy in Pashmina red with
the Fun Fem herself, Janet Ellis

I joined Janet at the beginning of the conference for a silly sassy cheesy pose, and got ready for a fun evening out with the girls. Janet had lined up an awesome array of women, from Brita McLaughlin working on the inside job to Jennine Cook and Scarlett Ballantyne polishing up the outside with makeup and hair styling with accessorizing tips.

By golly, you CAN teach an old b**** new tricks!

I don't know about you, but I am stuck in the same makeup style I learned from the Clinique counter when I was 15 years old. If it works, don't break it, I say. However, I learned things about makeup that I never realized, and found out that I can do some simple things to smooth my "more refined" features...Tip for you: we diva ladies don't grow old (perish the thought!), we just become more refined!

The Femtor Line-up

Brita helped the gals go from the land of
"I suck" to "I am FAB!" with a kick-ass
presentation on zeroing in on all our brilliance!

Who knew how easy-peasy it is
to step into your inner diva...
Here is a fab fem signing up for more!

Brita McLaughlin of Brita McLaughlin Coaching was the first presenter of the evening, looking fetching in a sassy pink top, wedge sandals and cute jeans. Brita took us from feeling blah to feeling waaaaaayyyy better about ourselves, sister. The girls threw on some boas and strutted around the room claiming their fabulousness! Juicy!

Brita also introduced her Coaching Gym© - one-hour group coaching for only $20 a session! AND, she offered 30 minute individual sessions just for the Funtastic Fems - Grab that golden ring now, ladies! Trust me, I have been chewing on Brita's ear for a year now, it's so worth it. I am so worth it!

Jennine Cook offered tips like using a
makeup primer for a smooth skin finish &
using half a false lash instead of the full lash
for a more natural look.

Jeannine is a fun fem
that KNOWS her stuff!

Jennine Cook of Pure Beauty Ltd. & Transformations showed us how to jump out of the standard 9-5 look and into everything from a natural day look, gorge smoky eyes for evening & how to apply those bloody, sticky false eye lashes without ending up with one stuck to your brow.

A gorgeous fem herself, Jennine gave tons of great makeup tips, we watched one of our participants transform from a woman without makeup into what I would refer to as a rare orchid before our very eyes.

A talented lady, Jennine Cook operates a shop for styling and costumes called Transformations on the waterfront in White Rock.

I felt a little more confident watching Scarlett
at work on the model's hair...
"I can do this," I thought.

To see Stella & Dot is to
love Stella & Dot
Drama, Drama, Drama!

Scarlett Ballantyne brought her hair tips for dramatic styling, including - hold the presses - incredibly easy updos. How effortless looking good can be! Who knew? Scarlett quickly twirled some delicious curls with a pointed hot iron, and shared 3 ways to create a "bumpit" look to add volume and glam to the crown of the head.

Oohs and ahhs filled the room when the lovely model flashed her smokey lashes at the crowd. She was covered in seemingly natural ringlets, pulled back in a wrap-and-pin do that said, "I don't have to try hard to look hot." Loved it!

We also got to enjoy the look of - excuse me while I catch my breath, girls - Stella & Dot... I am swooning... the HOTTEST trend in jewelry to the stars... affordable pieces for day and diva wear. I was trying not to drool over the glam pieces, and plan to host my own party with Scarlett based on her samples alone. Yummy!

Lots of smiling fems throughout the evening!

Fabulous Fems of Every Sort Joined in the Fun!

There was a buffet of (as Janet quipped) "Tips & Hints or Hips & Tints," for us to feast upon. It was so fun to see such a magic array of women in all their glory. It's a privilege for Ideas In Bloom to sponsor the Funtastic Feminar Series. I'll keep ya' posted on next week's fab adventures!

Loretta Voth of Ways of Seeing Consulting

A budding actress joined the group with
her fabulous auburn locks and youth!

And thrilled I was to see Powerhouse Loretta Voth of Ways of Seeing Consulting spicing up the group. Lovely Loretta is my co-Leadership Committee member for Women & Words Conference, coming up at the end of this month! (Are you a burgeoning author? Do you want to stretch your writing muscle? Early Bird rates are still available for the first ever Women & Words writing conference in BC - CHECK IT OUT!)

Stick out your chin and take a great shot!

Oh yeah, one last GREAT photo op tip from the stylist diva, Scarlett... to avoid that annoying turkey waddle under our chins, just stick your chin out ladies!

Here's me giving it a whirl... not bad... You see my smile instead of my waddle!

Scroll down, I put a slice of sunshine in for you...

Peace & Flowers to You Ladies!

Every fem loves a little sunshine in
a flower!

It was my pleasure to give a gift of a gerbera to each of the participants at the close of the evening. I was pleased as punch to receive this email from one fun fem this morning:

"Thanks again for the lovely gerbera. I used to work as an assistant for my sister's landscape design business and I love flowers. When someone inquired about the meaning of "gerberas" I just had to look it up! I think you have chosen the perfect business logo for yourself! Here's what I learned:

The meaning of a gerbera flower stems from those attributed to the general daisy family. The gerbera represents innocence and purity, and daisies are also a classic symbol of beauty. The gerbera variety holds an added meaning of cheerfulness, which stems from the assortment of colors available." - Charlene

Isn't it great that the gerbera is a symbol of beauty? Go ahead, girls, that's what it's all about.

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and in the process of writing her first novel, "Mended Wings." She recently took up flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

Exercise? What, who, me?!?

2011-04-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

...and take five, or ten. This one is a scroller today. I couldn't help it. I got trigger happy this past weekend. So, scroll on, baby. Fun stuff to feast your eyes on. A dozen glimpses into my last weekend, and a few insights...

I woke up at 7:30 am on Saturday morning.

"F***" was the first sound I heard come out of my mouth.

Even before my eyelids attempted the involuntary action of opening, the echo of a guttural curseword cooed my hubby awake as he shifted his head on the pillow. "I love you, too, Tonia," says he. As I cleared the fuzz, yawned and realization began moving through my mind, the squirrels in my head were chittering. "Tonia, what in the heck were you THINKING when you signed up for a day of PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, on SATURDAY, no less, in the MORNING?!?" They had a point.

C'mon, I am a creative-type night owl.

At least that was what the squirrels were telling me. I like to see double digits on the clock when I wake up on the weekend. I am not a jock. I like my J-Lo bum. Not so today. Damn. Alright, I had committed to Buddha (AKA Brita McLaughlin), and planned to meet her there after she jumped off the aloha red-eye from Hawaii to do a workshop at the event that afternoon.

I got out of bed and got ready, gathering a couple of healthy munchies and fruit before I scooted out the door with my barely used yoga mat and new sporty yoga outfit (hey, if I wasn't going to be a jock, at least I was going to look good). The folks at every WOMAN suggested what I should bring, so I ticked off the list and headed out the door with a bottle of full of spritzy emergen-C... You never know, paramedics might be slapping me into consciousness if I overdo it at one of the hi-energy workshops like Laughing Yoga or Wham Modeling. I was ready for the worst. Seriously, folks, I would have rather gotten my little curlies plucked than head into an environment of active women.

Shoot me now.

At the S. Surrey Rec Centre, I was greeted by the every WOMAN volunteers, and made to feel extremely comfortable in their brief and clear orientation. I headed into the first class, Pilates with Fay Acton, and enjoyed the easy, gentle pace of strengthening my core. I tapped on Brita McLaughlin's washboard pecs later in the afternoon, and she winked and said, "Pilates, baby!" Hmm, I like results... OK, I thought, I liked that. What's next?


The high energy every WOMAN volunteers stood ready to welcome participants to the South Surrey Rec Centre.

I grabbed a sip of my go juice and got ready for the next seminar, Laughter Yoga with Carol Ann Shannon of Laughter Yoga White Rock. I am a clown at heart (I think every mommy has a little clown in her), so this was going to be fun. Let me just tell you this: my face muscles and rib cage were given a workout, and I had tears of laughter streaming from my face by the end, and even my skin was softer. Looking a stranger in the eye while speaking giggling gibberish like a toddler can be quite invigorating.

We were bumping bums and chortling a hearty "Guten Tag" greeting around the room. How deliciously silly.

I then joined about 15 other women for Modeling with Makai Genovese, a saucy lady whom I discovered wears a clingy wrap dress with pure, dripping attitude. I panicked. My tomboy squirrels started chittering, "Oh, Geez, Tonia, you have two left feet. There is NO WAY you are going to do a model walk, strike a pose and prance off." The extra 20 lbs were giggling and jiggling every time Makai introduced a new step. My confidence was diving fast. I had to find an excuse to leave. Then, something happened. I started to laugh at myself. I started to laugh with the other participants. I started shaking my thang, b****!

"I'm too sexy for my body" was booming as I strutted down the make-believe runway with over-exaggerated moves and divalicious poses. It skyrocketed me out of my frumpy-post-baby-jiggly-bits-over-forty-mama shell, and I had a riot! What a workout for both my body and soul!

Then came April Lewis, Zoomer Extraordinaire. April, April, April. What can I say? I was smitten with her brilliant humour, in touch with self attitude, savoury love of the saucy heel, and her excellent delivery of putting one foot in front of the other while embracing our lives as women in transition. She's got life by the balls, and magazines, newspapers and periodicals know it. She's a campy writer, and I look forward to her installments. I will definitely keep in touch with this lady!

April - A gal with Zoomer Verve!

"Every woman should have the right to keep her favourite glam shoes in flawless condition by wearing them only in the bedroom." - April Lewis

April Lewis struts it 'cuz she's got it!

I got to see Buddha do the hula!

Brita McLaughlin came flying through the front doors of the South Surrey Rec Centre, tan, gorgeous and fit, ready to rock and roll for her 2 pm workshop: Accessing Your Best SELF. I jumped in to assist Buddha for her workshop, and she had me cue up a cd while she put a hula skirt on. She shared that she had only arrived less than an hour before from an all-night flight from Hawaii.

You'd never know it.
She looked like a million bucks!

Brita took the full room of every WOMAN participants through a workshop on the difference between self-esteem and confidence (I AM and I CAN), and got us up and moving with the hula right off the bat. We all got to introduce ourselves in an absolutely fabulous way with boas draped over our necks. Mahvelous, Dahling!

Still smiling on no sleep at the closing of the event,
Brita McLaughlin is such a rocking positive force!

Brita was a key presenter at this year's every WOMAN White Rock, and a rocking positive force. Brita is launching her Coaching Gym, giving people an affordable and easy way to stay the course as they tap into new perspectives and tools and co-create their own definition of success in a group environment via telephone or Skype.

BRAG ALERT: All of the materials
on Brita McLaughlin's presentation board were designed by moi!

As I mentioned, I got trigger happy.

Here are a couple of the people I met during the day, and some cool bits! Enjoy!

One-on-one sessions for body balance and health.

OK, cool shoes. Wonder if they'll help my butt as much as they can help my foot health?

Jazzercise - it's super popular and a fun way to get in shape.

I tried my hand at Speedminton with a birdie that had a super high bounce
with super low effort... my kind of fun!

Co-founder and former Olympian, Lynn Kanuka with her daughter.

The session closed with Yoga Nidra with Marita Wieser of Sol Yoga, an amazing guru. She lulled us into the state between waking and sleep, as we opened ourselves to our powers of intuition, creativity, health and abundance. Her voice was resonant and trancelike. It was like gold dropping on the ears. I ended the day 180 degrees from how I started it. WOW!

Thanks to Lynn of every WOMAN for your continued vision to help women stay active and healthy! I left the day feeling content and that I had accomplished more before 10 am than what I usually do in a full weekend.

And, now, if you will excuse me, I have a blanket I'd like to pull over my head now, and a cozy pair of jammies calling my name.

Keep on Bloomin'!

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel in 2010. She has taken up the voice of playing flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

A Snowstorm, a Dog and Buddha

2011-03-16T00:33:00.000-07:00

Please allow me to digress from my posts about brand and design, and speak to you from the perspective of a woman in business...a woman who has an 18 month old son and three other preteens to care for in addition to the business, a house to clean, laundry to fold... you get the picture.

C'mon, this is the face of an angel!

I have had ongoing health issues that just don't seem to be improving - extreme fatigue, low iron reserves, and issues with gluten... coupled with the consistent night pattern of a half dozen broken dreams to attend to breast feeding my son. This had to stop if I was going to recover. Ok, in theory, I wanted to stop. I knew it in my head. But, tell me, look at this face. I mean, c'mon... he's an angel.

I couldn't stop breast feeding. I was addicted. I rationalized that he was my last baby, and I was going to "milk it" for all it was worth. Excuse the blatant pun!

I couldn't stop
breast feeding.
I was addicted.

So, my compassionate and graceful leadership coach, Brita McLaughlin (folks, if you don't have a coaching mentor, get one), called me up last Friday and checked in on how my health was doing. I prattled off the symptoms, sharing the latest doctor appointments and blood tests, sighing into the phone, just aching for the next time I could get horizontal in my bed and close my weary eyes. And, instead of commiserating with me, she took a deep breath and - on the rare occasion she gets blunt - did a verbal bitch slap, letting me know I would be making arrangements to spend the weekend at her house and get away from breastfeeding. After I registered everything she said, it made sense. I agreed. I talked to my hubby, and he thought it was a brilliant idea. He would hold down the fort over the weekend, and get baby used to sleeping in his own bed, and I would take a boobie break at Brita's. (On a side note, ladies, my husband IS the last unicorn. I am eternally grateful for his invaluable support through this last weekend.)

OK, this was going to be cool.

I would be able to hang out with my femtor and friend, and have a gal's weekend to relax and make some time for her newsletters and preparing for her upcoming speaking and facilitating engagements at everyWOMAN White Rock, Funtastic Feminars, and Women & Words Writing Conference. BTW, I'm also her brand guru, so it's a truly symbiotic relationship. The timing couldn't have been better for both of us.

Ginger and lemon replaced my
need for a warm drink like coffee.

I arrived and settled in to Brita's place, and Brita questioned me about my sleeping & eating habits, while handing me portions of yummy, healthy food. She helped me replace my java fix (usually 4x/day) with a steaming hot wonderful mix of fresh sliced ginger, hot water with a squirt of lemon and honey - it's now my drink of choice, and hubby loves it, too. She handed me a huge cup that says "coffee" on the side, to be used ONLY for my ginger tea. Funny thing is, Brita is rarely this forceful with me, but her kind direction has help me take personal responsibility for my health and make a MAJOR shift in my lifestyle eating & sleeping habits.

Brita also discovered and helped me see that I am treating food as a "last resort" during the workday, and I am not treating myself well by eating a proper breakfast or lunch during the day. I shove a quick breakfast into my mouth at the kitchen counter or over my Mac (a quick banana, some cereal, a piece of toast or a quick muffin and loads of coffee), and eat foods little or no protein - and way too much gluten (wheat). I often ate a roll with butter or peanut butter and more coffee for lunch, and stuffed myself at dinner. Does this sound familiar to you sole proprietors out there?

With Brita's guidance and suggestions, I have since changed over to a nice melange of vitamins, a quick egg (I whipped up a few and keep a stock of whipped eggs in a container in the fridge) and yogurt with fruit as well as fresh stuff like cherry tomatoes, baby carrots and sliced celery. I chopped up a load of veggies to have at my fingertips to snack on for power during the day. I grated cheese to use in my salads and sandwiches. I made a quick turkey salad with mayo, a bit of mustard, chopped turkey from turkey I had boiled the night before, celery, and that's going to be my lunch today. (Just a sec while I pat my mouth dry, I am salivating...) Healthy food CAN be yummy AND keep my energy up. By moving away from bread, pasta or anything with wheat and replacing it with yummy alternatives, I feel a dramatic change in my health.

On Friday at bedtime, Brita handed me a Quatchi to cuddle and get me through the night. Don't laugh. I used it. It worked. I began to realize that Adam was going to have an easier go at this than I was.

Quatchi got me through the first night.

On Saturday, I enjoyed a relaxing day at my Mac, chatting with Brita, watching the news, and letting my confused breasts lactate in tandem when they got too full. A bit painful, but I knew I could ride it out. I went out to a business meeting, and when one of my colleagues hugged me, and I felt like someone had punched me in the chest. "Your girls are nice and perky though, girl," said my dear Brita. Always looking on the bright side. Frankly, on a good day, I could feed Adam and a third world country, so this was going to be a bit of a physical struggle. I can do this, I thought.

Short term pain for long term gain.

That night at bedtime, I climbed into Brita's bed at "Hotel Shangri La," as she affectionately dubbed her home. Brita had placed a few emergency breast pads on the nightstand on my side of the bed - just in case - as I went through the process of slowing down my milk production. "The factory doors are closing, girls," I told myself as I went to bed.

Ever heard of a labradoodle? I hadn't, until I met Koa, Brita's adolescent dog. Koa is a spirited dog with chocolate curls all over his coat, and completely cute and goofy. He's always ready to play, and always curious; a big sweetheart of a dog. He was at the foot of the bed like a big stuffy. A great sense of safety and comfort washed over me as I went to sleep.

I woke up around 6:30 am with a soaked shirt, and realized that I slept through the night with no baby. I reached out in the dark, and my hand shuffled around on the nightstand to find the stack of cottony breast pads. Nothing. Strange. Brita awoke and asked me what I was looking for. I told her. I still couldn't find them. I changed my shirt, and Brita flipped on the lamp to look more closely for the breast pads. "Hmm, I wonder what happened to them?" We were both perplexed. Right at the same moment, we were both turning the corner at the end of the bed where Koa slept, and we found him covered in fluffy cotton snow of varying sizes, embedded like lint in his curly chocolate ringlets. He was sleeping like a baby with one of his floppy ears turned inside-out and cotton puffs all around him. Pure puppy bliss.

"There's our answer, then." I said flatly, and crawled back into bed after scooping as much of the cotton fluff off the bed as we could. After tucking myself in, I looked over at Brita, who was bundled up in blankets, and we both burst out laughing. I cannot think of a more fitting moment to summarize the whole weekend.

Brita is my Buddha.

Lady Buddha by Barbara Perrine Chu

She's got the right answers, and I have just enough humility to listen and learn to hear that they originate from inside of me. I would not have been able to make it through the weekend and such a big life change without her support and the help of my husband. This is a relationship in my life I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. There is such a rich honesty between us, and I can live out loud with her with candor in order to do things differently/better/richer/smarter/softer/kinder. Buddha, I mean, Brita, helps me navigate the big and small stuff by leading with my values.

As of the time of this writing, our family has been baby-boob free for four days and counting. Every time Little Man Lenk tries to dive for my chest, I sing a dorky little ditty that goes something like this: "Boobie, NO NO. Ba ba YES YES. BIG Boy!" (Not quite something I would bring into a client meeting, but it sure works for him.) My husband has been a blessing, and a truly awesome Daddy, fielding the bedtimes until our son gets the hang of the new pattern, and...

... I am finally sleeping long enough to have beautiful dreams!

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel in 2010. She recently took up flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

Brands I Want To KISS

2011-03-10T12:36:00.000-08:00

OK, so those of you reading my blog of late have heard my rants on Virgin Mobile and Rogers Retail... time for me to turn the soil and dig up a great experience in brand being translated to customer service that I experienced recently.

Customer Loyalty is an intangible brand value
that cannot be bought. It must be earned.

I was on the hunt for a simple, inexpensive iPhone 4 case, and was turned off by Rogers. I'm over it. I walked down the mall hall and found Simply Computing. Simply is a small and growing computing support company with retail stores throughout the Lower Mainland and in Victoria in BC, and are doing quite well, focusing on the market as an Apple Specialist.

When I walked into the store, I arrive quite disgruntled with my experience with Rogers. However, despite my sour face and poor attitude, a smile greeted me with a warm "hello" and an invite to help. I put my cards on the table, mincing no words. I was quickly shown great options, given pros and cons on the purchase I wanted to make, and given choices to suit not only my practical needs, but my aesthetic wants. In the end, my spirit was uplifted, and I felt a sense of confidence in the Simply Computing brand due to excellent customer service and product knowledge. The staff member, Rachel Becker, was obviously well trained, took her job seriously, and helped me navigate through a purchase decision with helpful and sometimes humorous input. As a result, my friend purchased a product from their store after chatting with another staff member, gaining valuable knowledge and input on a GPS Bluetooth system.

In the end, I walked away from the store with a purchase in my hand, and definitely plan to return again. Customer loyalty.

"When it comes to brand building, it's not just a logo that builds brand awareness. Happy, informed staff = happy, informed customers."

When it comes to brand building, it's not just a logo that builds brand awareness. Customer service is often the last and most-ignored part of the brand garden for most companies. This is a huge mistake, and a missed opportunity for company to build intangible brand value. No amount of glitz and glam marketing can replace good customer service on a face-to-face level. Happy, informed staff = happy, informed customers

Aligning customer service and your brand is an important way to attract perennial customers, create a unique standing in your industry - setting you apart from other flowers in the garden, and cultivate brand loyalty. Done right, it can create a truly sustainable competitive advantage.

What does this mean in terms of customer service? Companies who invest in training their staff to know, live and breathe the vision of the company brand not by rote, but by values, create an amazing customer service environment for customers on the front line. An employee who is educated on their product, and is taught to understand the VALUE of the product, can then speak with customers with a positive confidence, and guard the brand in intangible ways no amount of paid brand marketing can.

Good for you, Simply Computing, for hiring and training staff like Rachel to provide superior customer service, thus standing by your credo as an Apple Specialist.

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel in 2010. She recently took up flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

Being a Fun Fem!

2011-03-07T17:44:00.000-08:00

I am a bit giddy lately. You see, Brita McLaughlin hooked me up with a fabulous lady, Janet Ellis, who has created a phenomenon called The Funtastic Feminar Series. I invite you to join me to see some fabulous presenters April 5, 12, 19 & 26, hosted by my friend, Janet Ellis, and sponsored by yours truly of Ideas In Bloom.

I will be there, taking in all four sessions, and wrapping up on April 26th at the close of the very interactive series.

The credo for the Funtastic Feminars is "Look better, feel better, do better – without breaking a sweat!" OK, that's just my kind of fun.

In honour of International Women's Day,
For THIS WEEK ONLY - until March 12, 2011 -
You pay only $187.50 for all four sessions!

Bring a Friend and she comes for half price. Only $375.00 for the two of you. Please use code: FRIEND when registering.

Why wait until Spring and be a Late Bloomer? You pay full price $250.00

Click here to register now, and get a discount before March 12th! Bring a friend, and SAVE EVEN MORE!

**10% of Profits go to the South Fraser Women's Shelter**

WHEN:

Tuesdays, April 5, 12, 19 & 26.

6:30 - 9:30 pm

WHERE:

Camp Alexandra

2916 McBride Avenue, Surrey, BC

REGISTRATION:

info@funtasticfeminars.com or call Janet Ellis @ 604.812.2409

Be sure to let her know Ideas In Bloom referred you
so you can get your tickets at a reduced price!

I do hope I'll see you there. Comment if you want to find out more!

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel in 2010. She recently took up flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

Brands I Want To SPANK

2011-02-27T11:10:00.000-08:00

There is something to be said about customer service and its role in brand management. It is as much an integral part of a company’s brand as is their logo and advertising. Companies spend millions of dollars to get a nationwide brand into every home, only to fall flat in their public presence and staff.

So, when I walked into a Rogers [cell phone] store yesterday with a gal pal to hunt a new case for my iPhone 4G, what greeted us was not the purported Rogers brand that flies on their rogers.ca website. The feeling on the web is helpful, informational, innovative and "in the know."

This was not my experience in their retail store.

We approached a co-ed pair 20-something staffers, both dressed professionally and well groomed, sitting at the store counter. No smiles greeted us. No stand up and face the customer. The expression on their pair of faces was one that spoke volumes. It was as if we were interrupting their bored Sunday afternoon conversation. Strike one.

Having the tone set in our silent communication as we approached their station, we initiated the conversation with questions about their specific offering for the iPhone 4G cases. Each question was met with little reaction, and I felt that I had to "pull" the information I wanted out of the staff. They dutifully presented the products to us after some prompting, and provided little input on their specific pros and cons. Strike 2.

Customer service and its role in brand management is as much an integral part of a company’s brand as is a logo and advertising. This important brand fact needs to be addressed when hiring staff for a national or international company. Companies must invest in educating their staff to own & respect the brand message on the front lines: at the customer level.

Further, as we made our consumer attempt to make an informed buyer’s choice, our presence seemed to be an imposition to the Rogers staff, and the responses to our specific product questions were met with condescending answers. I was treated, in short, like a house bag who had little knowledge of technology, not with helpful, friendly advice from experts, as is purported by the Rogers brand. Strike 3.

By the time we left the store, I felt like a piece of meat that they were going to chew on in the staff break room at lunch over a few laughs. My friend gracefully referred to the salesgirl as “that little b****” – certainly not a move forward in the intangible brand strategy for Rogers.

Needless to say, Rogers didn’t get my money. I happily spent less on the same product at Simply Computing, a store that has the BRAND CUSTOMER SERVICE IT that brand managers salivate over. More on the brands I love tomorrow!

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel in 2010. She recently took up flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

Let It Be - A cause I believe in!

2011-02-24T18:21:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

As some of you may know, my dear friend, Elke Babicki, has founded a new non-profit organization, United Girls of the World.

Their focus is to aid girls locally and internationally with critical issues, including self-esteem related problems, violence, human trafficking and sexual abuse. One of their board members works directly with the United Nations, and is giving the group invaluable access on an international level. Elke and her partner recently produced a flash mob video at Park Royal in North Vancouver with a team of volunteers, including Pro Arte dancers, Pandora's Vox women's choir and a team of talented musical directors, choreographers and sound engineers. Please take a look and help us get this video out to the world. Our website is being upgraded as we speak, but please visit us at unitedgirls.org.

Thanks so much!

Elke Babicki

United Girls of the World Society

Co-President, Co-Chair

Unitedgirls.org

Please help us promote United Girls of the World Non-Profit Society by circulating this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4uyj11prB0

United Girls of the World's aim is to empower girls around the globe and offer educational scholarships to exceptional girls who give back to society.

Help us get the word out by doing the following:

1. Send this video link with these instructions out to everyone you know

2. Subscribe to United Girls YouTube Channel and make a comment about the video if you like.

3. Post this the video link to your Facebook or other Social Media Page (Linked In, MySpace, etc) and ask your friends to watch it and "like it" so that it can extend to all your friends friends as well.

4. Please tweet the video link out to all your followers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4uyj11prB0

5. Become a FAN of the United Girls Facebook Page

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel in 2010. She recently took up flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

First Impressions Go A Long Way!

2011-02-23T21:47:00.000-08:00

Do you struggle with finding the right clients?
Are you stuttering over answering the question, "So, what do you do?"
Are you working hard at marketing efforts and seeing no results?
Does the idea of "selling" yourself freak you out?

All of the above problems can be solved by sitting down with a Branding Specialist to uncover, reveal and unlock the hidden VALUE of what you are actually selling and doing for your business. It's not as difficult as you might think, you just need to reach out for the right help.

Who can you trust to help you?

First of all, if a Branding Specialist is promising the moon, you might want to walk away. We are living on planet Earth, and our bread and butter comes from real clients. So, find a specialist who is interested in YOU, and taps into discovering your company brand in a way that is truly unique to your message.

There are three imperative questions an effective Brand Specialist will ask when a company is struggling with marketing and brand stra and visual materials:

What do you do?
Most of us have a difficult time selling ourselves. It makes us queasy and uneasy. If you cannot vocalize what you do in two sentences or less, get the support you need to clearly and comfortably communicate what you do from a brand specialist. Your message must be CLEAR and SIMPLE. A good brand specialist is a sounding board and a think tank, a person who collaborates with you to find your voice in your marketing message.
Why do you do it?
This is the MOST important underlying factor for effectively and successfully marketing your business. Forget about "because I have the best customer service skills," or any other rote business reason like, "I have the best product on the market." Really? So do a dozen other small business owners. Ask yourself: WHY IS YOUR BUSINESS IMPORTANT TO YOU? Why does it plug you in? Why does it get you up in the morning? What excited you enough to become an Entrepreneuse and stand amidst your competitors? What VALUES does it touch in you that you want to attract in others?
Who the hell cares?
WHO do you WANT to buy your products or enlist your services? This is the third crucial component. You MUST visualize and identify EXACTLY what kind of client you want to be working with, as this will help you determine the final and important piece of your marketing puzzle. Have fun with this. What does your client look like? What are their interests? What clothing do they wear? What do they eat? What is their personality? What is important to them? The #1 Effective Tool for Salespeople, according to Fiona Walsh, is EMPATHY. That's right, not closing the sale, technical product knowledge, a university education or market share. EMPATHY. Get to KNOW your clients and what is important to them. What are their values?

Then, you own the block. Guaranteed. Once the above steps are carried out, the initial issues of marketing your business effectively will drop by the wayside, and you will be more aligned with successful brand strategy. First impressions go a long way!

Once you work with the right branding specialist to unlock this information in a way that gets you infused and inspired, then the next step is to create your visual brand. Check back for more on becoming your Own Business Dream Girl in tomorrow's installment!

Tonia Lenk is a brand expert and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and began her first novel in 2010. She recently took up flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

Brands I HATE

2011-02-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

OK, So I am not a Virgin. Mobile. Lover. I mean, I am not a Virgin Mobile Lover. Why?

Their branding sucks.

OK, now that my cards are on the table, I'll tell you why. Virgin missed the mark on their actual client base with their pre-paid phone service. They are selling and appealing to the 12-18 year old demographic. Their message appeals to this age group, and they assume that this group lacks any form of intelligence. They have dumbed down their brand message so thoroughly, they forgot who is really paying for the service - the parents of this demographic. So, their message should be a partnership message between the kids getting the phones and the parents paying for the service.

They dumbed downed their message with slang and irrelevant glitz and language in the following areas:
- educating their customers on the product in their brochures
- their message in their web site product and services content
- their recorded call centre customer service messages

My 12 year olds both got a phone this year. They are Virgin. Mobile. Customers.

The web site is "fun" and branded with the colours and Virgin logo. However, it's brand language gives little more than an invite to the "Virgin Fun Fun Fun Party." Finding information on the product and phone plans is a fact finding mission. Strike one.

The call centre recorded message is a bubbly voiced, sparkly girl, who overflows with unabashed enthusiasm about the Virgin Mobile service and product offering. I can almost see her girls bouncing, and her eyes sparkling with a shallow understanding of the words coming out of the hole on her face. Perhaps the 20-something college dudes that subscribe to the Virgin Mobile services have a "value added" 900 line experience whenever they call in to check the current status or balance of their account, but - as a parent - I am not comfortable with "kickin' in" or "pounding it" with Virgin's recorded messages. "So, C'mon, have FUN!" I just want to dial a number, get a balance, not be annoyed by a brainless twit in between harsh guitar takes on the phone.

Now, back to brand: Virgin missed the boat. I repeat, the people of consenting age are the paying customers. Virgin is trying to position itself as the "cool" go to cell phone for tweens, teens and pre-grads, and comes off looking like an unkempt teenager in a very competitive cell phone market.

So, although they are speaking to the 12-18 year old demographic, they need to be addressing the parents with information that is pertinent. There is a savvy way to do this without alienating both demographics. It's what brand companies get paid the big bucks for. I ponder, how much did Mr. Branford pay for this brand exercise as he delved into the mobile phone arena? Virgin has simply ignorantly dismissed the actual financiers of the mobile phone contracts: the parents.

I am still quite happy with my dog company, thank you. Less is more, and brand is more than just a logo.

---------

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel in 2011. She recently took up flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

Two Words: FREE FONTS!

2010-09-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

Are you tired of Times Roman, Verdana, Georgia and the standard lineup of software-specific fonts you are using in your materials? Fonts convey feelings, emotion, personality and presence.

I am a closet font fanatic. I love fonts the way other women love shoes.

Here are some GREAT free font resources that provide font options for you to liven up your materials and breathe some life into your message. These are only just a few sites that offer free fonts for your use:

urbanfonts.com offers a selection of featured free fonts
simply the best fonts is also another font library
1001freefonts.com is my fave. 1001freefonts offers:

searchfreefonts.com is also a great font library

Simply click on the downloadable fonts and save them on your desktop. In some cases you need to unzip the font file you have saved on the desktop. You then just copy and paste the font file (the file(s) with a .ttf file extension) into your Windows/Fonts folder in your computer, et voila!

Contact me through my website, ideasinbloom.ca, if you have any font questions.

Did you find this blog helpful? Please let me know by commenting below or sharing it on facebook or twitter!

Watch for our next Bloom! blog: Why am I having color issues in printing?

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel in 2010. She recently took up flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

Are You Stuck On Color?

2010-09-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

In my experience, most of my clients come to me with brilliant ideas, and just need me to translate their concept into a visual reality.

I call it playing in the garden.

We get to have fun, and the space between my client's ideas and my creativity is a palpable energy that blooms into the most amazing results.

Often, my clients do know who they are, what their business offering is, and why they do what they do. I turn that information into fonts and color, and when called upon, graphic images or photography.

I select colors based on what I have received from communication with my clients: through email, over the phone or face-to-face. I use my creative intuition and curiosity to learn about my client, and what has attracted them to their area of business. I want to know what excites them, and who they love working with. I encourage my clients to take time to write a paragraph to me of their ideal client. Then, I get to work.

I open up a host of color palettes to work from and seek to appeal to the specific customer base my client is seeking to attract. One of the tools I am proud to use is Colourlovers. It is an amazing online resource to peruse all kinds of colors, palettes and patterns.

You can search by Palettes, Patterns and Colors through
keywords and phrases.

You can search by color and even keyword, such as "fish" and get a hoard of results. You can search "geriatric" if you are seeking a colour palette to appeal to the retirement crowd. You can search "toys" and get a whole different result for new parents. It takes all the guesswork out of what colors match well and is psychologically targeted!

So, bring your ideas to the table, and watch them blossom into a million possibilities of color

Look for our next blog: Two Words: FREE FONTS!

Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel in 2010. She recently took up flute, and shares her knowledge on print, web and brand design freely!

Our Bloomin' Answer to HST!

2010-06-21T14:09:00.000-07:00

Send us a cause. We'll design a web site. A cool one. FREE. We're not joking. Our custom design team has gone mad with good feelings!

The organization must fulfill the following criteria:

1. Must have non-profit status.

2. Must have a cause we can stand behind.

3. Must believe that they are making a difference.

4. Have a positive influence on people, their community and the world at large.

Come on, you know you know a cause. Send it to us, and we'll pick the winner by July 1, 2010. Send us any questions and your suggestions at info@ideasinbloom.ca.

Part Two: The Boomerang Landed - WOW!

2010-06-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

Having enjoyed a Friday evening of dancing and hanging out with Patch Adams, we made our journey home from Seattle's Fremont district to our home in South Surrey. The purr of the car engine and the lull of the road put me to sleep almost immediately. We arrived home and quickly fell into bed around 2 am.

Before I could digest Friday, Saturday arrived.

We awoke at 7 am to prepare for the 6th Annual Woman of Worth event. As I arose, I prayed for strength, positive spirit and to be able to be of service to my dear friend and life coach, Brita McLaughlin. Brita had been nominated in two categories, and had been selected as finalist for Leader of the Year 2010. I was excited to support her, and join the table for Women With Heart, hosted by Brita McLaughlin.

Torsten and baby Adam in tow, we drove to Brita's for a morning meditation to center us before the event. I was tired and fragile. I did my best to stay positive and share in the excitement of Brita's selection as finalist. I was so proud of her.

I was ready to weep at the drop of a hat.

Some time in April, in more alert days, I had sent out an eleventh hour call to ask for nominations from those closest to me on the day of the deadline. Four wonderful people took the time to nominate me in the award category of Spirit, Success and Soul.

We drove into Vancouver to the event, and met up with the group, and quickly found our table as the event began. From the moment the MC, Candace Newton, took the stage, I knew this was no ordinary event. Candace energetically and humorously got everyone to witness, participate in, and enthusiastically dance to the Flash Mob video of The Black Eyed Peas birthday gift to Oprah, "I Gotta' Feeling."

Apparently, I needed to produce more seratonin.

Each speaker that came up, from Dov Baron, to Susan Biali, as well as a Prosperity Panel and a Nia dance instructor, pointed to the fact that a woman holds intrinsic value, regardless of circumstances. The empowering movement of dance, exercise, sound movement and humour injected at points throughout the day was testimony to WOW's founder, Christine Awram. Christine shared her own grief with us, her challenges, her sadness and success in preparing for the annual event. She had what she described as an Annus Horribilus in 2009.

Annus horribilus doesn't mean Bad Ass.

It means horrible year. In the light of my own circumstances, I had a fabulous year in 2009. We welcomed my beautiful son, Adam, into our family. We bought a house. We got two cute Morkie pups. I founded my brand design company, Ideas In Bloom, and had GREAT clientele, and fantastic projects. However, underneath it all, a post-partum depression was developing that I pretended wasn't there. Well, in the thick of it, I needed something more than my own will power to make it through this emotionally "Annus horribilus."

Torsten stood in the shadows during a major part of the day as my biggest fan and Super Dad to Adam. He is a gifted and intuitive life partner. He brought our bubbly boy to to me for a periodic nursing, and enjoyed overflowing sampling of comfort foods during the event.

Brita won WOW Leader of the Year 2010!

In a room full of almost 800 women, and about 5 unsuspecting men, I was able to support Brita. She humbly and ultimately won Leader of the Year. As they called out the names of the 15 finalists in all categories, my name was called. I was stunned. Here I was, praying to make it to the end of the day in a positive space and help Brita to celebrate her success. I was a cheerleader, and getting happier and more infused with energy by the minute.

And, then something happened. Brita was clapping and pointing at me, pointing at the stage, and her face registered a pleasant surprise.

My name was called out as one of the award finalists!

A couple of days later, I emailed Christine Awram to ask her about the nominations. I asked her to send me the nomination letters she had received.

In spite of a terrible family tragedy one day after the event, Christine offered to send the nominations to me. Humbled, I reflected on the award criteria:

WOW of Spirit, Success & Soul Award

Taken from thewowevent.com website, Each Woman Of Worth award candidate leads a successful life by:

Valuing and respecting herself, as well as others.
Acknowledging her true power from within, and leading through inspiration.
Cherishing ALL her relationships, and appreciating their purpose.
Experiencing challenges, and moving through them with fortitude and grace.
Embracing her vulnerability, as well as her inner strength and courage.
Celebrating life, and bringing much-needed kindness and radiance into our world.

Criteria of a successful nominee: In addition to the above 6 elements, the recipient enriches her community and/or organization through the mentorship of others. She has a strong connection to the core of her spirit, and champions the potential to fulfill personal dreams. Her skillful use of compassion, motivation and facilitation empowers the lives of others.

Door Prizes were later announced and given to the attendees, and something magical happened. My name was called out in succession for two major prizes. I stood up with a gritty, sparkling smile on my face, and said, "Share the love. Give the second prize to another one of these ladies." Later, a woman approached me, thanked me for being generous, gave me a hug for the Deepak Chopra package she had won, and shared with me how much it meant to her to receive it.

So, hubby and I get to spend three days in a $2000 Couples Workshop, courtesy of Corequest Counselling Group. Yay for us! Yay for Torsten!

He has no idea what he's in for...bless his soul.

Somehow, somewhere, the Universe knew what I needed this past weekend, exactly at the moment that I needed it. When we think we can bear no more, relief comes in an unexpected package. I started out the weekend wanting to be invisible and hiding from the world. I ended the weekend full of energy, spirit and a love for the empowerment of women, and more connected to women around me.

A new day was dawning. Everything was OK.

The feel-good boomerang that I had sent out last December (not expecting anything back) had landed at my feet. I never expected that the goodwill I had shared with others would one day help me get back on my feet. I was humbled and grateful, and ready for a new day.

Chin-Chin, Brita! Here's to us WOW Gals!

Part One: The Boomerang Landed - Patches of Me

2010-06-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me know that I am passionate about helping others. This was especially true when I joined forces with Brita McLaughlin and Denise Wooten to co-host last December's Glam & Glog, supporting families through the South Fraser Women Services Society.

I did it because Brita and I connected in our desire to empower women in a time of need. I did it because I was once a single mother, struggling to make ends meet. I did it because I cared.

I did it because it felt good.

Time rolled on. My then 3 month-old son, Adam, grew and grew. My business continued to prosper. Contracts continued to roll in, new clients called. Then, something happened. One day, I woke up and didn't want to get out of bed. Extreme fatigue, depression and burnout had overtaken me, and I was physically incapable of performing my basic daily functions. I was heading for burnout and suffering a post-partum the likes of which I had only heard about in baby magazines.

What the hell was going on?

Here I was in the midst of a joyful life with an awesome mate, surrounded by beautiful kids, operating a successful business. I was on my knees. I could not will myself out of this state of mind.

Mother's Day came, and I was at my lowest. My husband handed me a card, and two tickets to Patch Adams 65th Birthday Party fell out. I couldn't see how this was going to come to fruition. I mean, I had to actually drive to Seattle? Was he crazy? I couldn't even bring myself to take a shower, let alone dress up for an event.

I wanted to stay home under my covers. My doorway had scratch marks, and I had slivers of wood under my nails as we made our way to Seattle last Friday afternoon. My husband was giddy with the prospect of seeing Patch Adams again. (He had two opportunities to clown as "Torte" with Patch in Germany with the volunteer organization, MediClowns.)

What good was a clown's birthday going to be?

We arrived at the Fremont Studios in Seattle at 8 pm, and walked through the doorway. I was tired, and just wanted to be at home in bed. I expected this to be an event whereby Patch Adams would be addressing the crowd of attendees from a podium. What we walked into, however, was a party atmosphere, much like an awards after party. People were milling in the lobby, live music was playing from the stage, greeters were directing us to the bar and lounge area. And, of course, there was a dance floor, complete with clowns in full garb. Every one was happy, damn them.

"Torte" pointed out that Patch was among the people in the lobby. I was stunned. One of my iconic heros, a fighter for the cause, in full costume, was shooting the shit with his guests. We approached him, and I addressed him by saying,

Hi Patch, we'd like to introduce you to your inverse.

Our son, Adam Hunter Lenk, is your name in reverse." Patch proceeded to take Adam from my arms and hold him up by one hand like a beacon on the bow of a ship. We took photos, we laughed. I laughed. Hmm, something was happening.

The night continued, folk music played, and I sat quietly, trying to be invisible on one of the lounge couches. Patch took the stage after dancing like a 20 year old college student. Remember, the boy is 65, right? He invited all of us in the audience to come closer and sit on the stairs of the stage. He asked us into his circle of love, his down-to-earth passion for the cause of good, peace and laughter. He said that birthday means dance to him, and asked us to dance with him.

So, we did the hokey pokey.

We laughed, we talked with other partygoers. Adam partied with diehard clowns dedicated to laughter and the joy of simple things. We ate handfuls of cake, because Patch never cuts his cake, he dives in. Yum.

The night was young, and my intuitive hubby approached me while he saw the light of a smile on my face for the first time in a long time. He gently inquired, "I think we can go home now?" I agreed. As we left the party, I reflected on the vision of Dr. Patch Adams to inject humour into healthcare, how it is just as important to healing as traditional medicine. I was evidence of the power of good feelings and a smile.

It was all going to be OK.

Watch for Part Two: The Boomerang Landed - WOW!

WOW! Success is attainable!

2010-04-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me and have worked or kanoodled with me, you know that I am an extremely motivated and inspired woman.

I love what I do.

Heck, I get to draw, write and create for a living. I work with purpose, and seek out clients who share my vision with a commitment to excellence, a drive to help community and a sense of accountability to the environment.

It pays the bills. But, that's not why I do what I do. I work in brand management because I care about making a difference in lives, even in a small way, and it is that commitment which is felt by my clients in every project I choose to undertake.

Where does the motivation come from?

Back in December, I received a welcome email from Enterprising Moms Network, of which I am a fervent and cheerleading member. I believe Kelley Scarsbrook has hit the nail on the head for entrepreneurial moms. In the email footer, I saw an offer from Brita McLaughlin Coaching for a 30 minute leadership coaching session.

What the heck, I thought, let's give it a whirl. My goals for a successful business, the inception of my first novel, and my desire for work-life balance drew me to the concept of coaching in order to fulfill my purpose. I had no expectations, and jumped in with eyes closed and ears open.

What ensued was an entirely unexpected reconnection to my inspired self, my intuitive heart-based thinking, and a tap in the direction of my own definition of success. I am extremely grateful to Brita for her weekly telephone coaching calls, the proactive homework assignments, and the paradigm shifts I am experiencing.

Brita and I connected ideologically and emotionally, and she invited me to be a part of co-hosting the 2009 Women With Heart annual Glam and Glog with herself and Denise Wooten. This experience has motivated me to further action, and connected me to a community of women who inspire me on a daily basis.

Denise, Brita and Tonia at the 2009 6th Annual Women With Heart Glam & Glog

I am proud to say that I was nominated for the 2010 Woman of Worth Award in the category of Spirit and Soul. More importantly, I am privileged to say that Brita was honoured last week to be nominated and has been named a Finalist for the 2010 Woman of Worth Award in the categories of both Leader of the Year and Spirit and Soul.

This is an official invite to you to make time for yourself on May 29, 9:00 - 5:30, to attend this enriching and powerful event to celebrate yourself along with 800 other Women of Worth.

Imagine the possibilities when you join with 800 empowered women and ignite your body, mind and spirit on every level for an entire day of world-class speakers, entertainment, food, fun, laughter, gifts, prizes, meaningful connections, celebration and ... chocolate!

Brita, Denise and I are offering the 4 remaining seats at the Women With Heart table at a dramatically reduced early bird rate of $143 until April 30. Thereafter, the price will raise to $239 per ticket!

Please contact me today to obtain your ticket or more information. Look forward to seeing you there!

Women in Business: What You Want Is What You Get

2010-04-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

I cannot tell you how many times I have worked with spectacularly brilliant, savvy business women who have compromised their vision in the interest of being nice. Have you ever paid for a service that you don't feel meets the standard or vision you have set for yourself? Have you ever paid for or bowed out of a project even though it didn't work for you, and then go elsewhere to see if you could receive what you are looking for from another service provider?

Herein lies the snag: you won't get what you are envisioning if you don't ask for it in a way THAT WORKS FOR YOU. We, as women, are trained to be nice to others. Don't be angry. Don't say how you really feel. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.

On the other end of the spectrum, we might feel that we have to force our way in a man's world, thus presenting ourselves as aggressive, career lusty, hard-edged business woman. We alienate other business women, and might feel that we are standing alone in our success, and lack connectedness in the business arena.

The ideology that if a business woman asks for what she wants, she is a bitch. Conversely, if a businessman states what he wants, he is a go-getter. I am here to tell you, sister: Times, they are a'changin'!

You are paying for a service.
You deserve to get what you are paying for.

Many of my design projects require multiple drafts for review and modification. It is the nature of graphic design. Often, when requesting revisions, many, many of my female clients start their statements with, "I am sorry to be a bug..." or "I am sorry, I don't want to be difficult, but..." or "Am I your most difficult client?"

Don't apologize when asking for what you want!

Try this on for size. When facing a conversation with an employee or a service provider, write down what you want, and HOW IT IS GOING TO WORK FOR YOU.

For example, your designer is creating concepts for you that have nothing to do with what you are hoping for. The work is quick and unpolished, the emails brief and rushed, and you are not receiving timely responses. Challenging. Avoid the tendency to be passive aggressive. Be clear about what you WANT, and avoid stating what you DON'T want.

Call your designer. "You know, I am not sure if the work you sent me this morning hit the mark, and I think I need you to take some time to explore my requests further and come up with something a bit more polished, AND I would like you to send me your new concepts by the end of the week." Then, pause. Don't say a word. Let your statement sink in.

You are clear in your request. You have told your designer what works for you, and how you want to receive what you are asking for. I know the tendency is to go to a place of doubt and question ourselves as business women or worry about receiving a negative response to our requests. I tell you right now that the opposite will happen.

You will open up a HOST of possibility to your own vision and business goals by following this simple advice. Go get 'em, Tigress!

Publish Post

Try it out this week!

Ideas In Bloom Wonders About Social Media. Fad or Revolution?

2010-04-15T23:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, folks. I have finally lifted my head up from my design work long enough to join the social media universe driven by Generation C. For those of you who are familiar with Generation X, Generation C is after Generation Y. Generation C owns the social media, and functions daily using digital interaction.

There are more text messages sent and received daily than there are people on the planet.

Why should I care that 12 year-olds are blogging? Why should I ask about Twitter and Facebook pages? What is HootSuite? LinkedIn? Xing? Is Social Media a Fad?

After 22 years in the design industry, my garden bag is full of great tools to share with my clients, colleagues and curious people seeking answers to common questions surrounding graphic design. But how do I share this knowledge and help business blossom under the umbrella of my brand studio, Ideas In Bloom, without emailing everyone in my contact list? Now, that is just annoying. I don't know about you, but if I receive another monthly email newsletter, I am changing my email address. Again, I ask, what is the most effective way to reach people?

You have answered my question. You are reading this post aren't you? You have likely "touched" the links I have suggested, such as the YouTube presentation above or my own home page. Call it an experiment of sorts. In any event, social media, by far, surpasses any technique or material tool a designer like myself can implement to create brand visibility. Why?

1. People trust PEOPLE, not marketing or products. It has been proven that Twitter icons showing a face have greater traffic than icons that show logos. People are longing for connection on the Internet, on a very basic level. If people cannot see you or touch you, they cannot trust you.

2. People buy VALUE, not products. Why are some online companies successful, and some crash and burn? Value. Core values. Who is buying your product? What are their values? How can your social media align with and speak to their values?

3. People have short attention spans. People spend 0.6 seconds on an Internet page before clicking. You can keep their attention longer by engaging them in the content of your page. Enjoy the example of Urban Dictionary for a site full of words and phrases created and written by users of the site as yet another example of Generation C exercising their right to stretch the Internet to its full social consciousness potential.

On that note, I welcome your feedback, and thank you for sharing a few of your moments with me. Send me an email, and let me know your design questions. I might just dedicate one of my blogs to your question! If so, you can win a free design consultation for your business or project.